Cheese Please

For me, not many things get better than a great piece of cheese. So when I heard that a new cheese shop was opening in San Diego (and they invited us to stop in for lunch), I was thrilled! The Cheese Store has a super cute location in Little Italy on Kettner – it is really beautiful new real estate in the neighborhood.

My plan was to pop in early on a Tuesday thinking that I would avoid the hustle and bustle, but boy was I wrong. The word has gotten out that the Cheese Store is the new greatest place to get all things cheese – cheese to go, cheese to stay, grilled cheese, cheese boards – you name it, they cheese it.

The decor is very chic, a lot of European inspiration – mosaic tiles, mirrored signs, bistro chairs and tables – all very beautiful. Even better, the staff. Everyone was super friendly and offered for us to sample as many cheeses as we like (if you go, you must try the Red Dragon!), and they were also very patient with us as we perused through our options. The other fun thing is that they have a really great wine selection, petite, but very thoughtful.

For lunch, we went with their signature option, the grilled cheese and tomato soup.

The grilled cheese arrived fragrant with the smell of strong cheese, and very ooey and very gooey. And the tomato soup was topped with some baby potato “chips.” Everything looked really great, but the true test was in the taste.

One bite and I was sunk. Yes, the Cheese Store is completely worth all of the rave reviews you have heard or read about. There was simply nothing to complain about. The grilled cheese was perfectly toasted, buttered and oozing with cheese. The tomato soup was creamy, well-balanced and delicately seasoned.

And of course the champagne (which was recommended as a pairing), was light and refreshing, the perfect compliment. I could seriously make a habit out of finding my way here for lunch. Dangerously delicious. San Diego has really only known one other cheese shop until now, but in my opinion there is only one Cheese Store.

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Although the Cheese Store gifted us our lunch, no financial compensation was received. All opinions expressed and shared here are an honest account of our experience.